block play

It’s easy to think of a play-of-the-day today, the 150th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthday – some block and construction play. We still admire his buildings in various cities across the continent. His reputation and teachings are admired internationally as one of the greatest architects. Does this photo of Frank Lloyd Wright’s lamp remind you of wooden blocks?

Blocks and other construction toys are a way children can engage in building and creating. Both boys and girls enjoy playing with these materials and will do so from the time they are babies, to teenagers and beyond. Need a substute for a fidget spinner? Put out a bowl of Lego and keep hands, and more importantly, minds busy too.

The notes below are from an earlier post on block and construction ply with ideas to try:

There’s a wonderful variety of construction toys using plastic, like Lego and Lasy; wood as in blocks; metal, both new and vintage; and even sturdy paper and cardboard. Some construction sets are specialized for machines, race car tracks, trains, houses, marble runs, creatures, and robots. Just as varied are the kinds of fun and learning. When kids play with these toys they are:

manipulating, connecting, stacking, balancing, etc. This strengthens the small muscles in hands and fingers and gives children the opportunity to develop eye-hand coordination.

visualizing, that is making pictures in the mind. As an adult, have you ever had to look at an object and then had to choose from 3 or 4 pictures what it would look like from the other side? This is quite a challenge and this skill develops from lots of experiences and play.

exploring space and measuring. Blocks of some sizes might fit in a space but some will be too big or too small.

counting and making groups, matching sizes and shapes. These are early math skills.

creating and imagining. These are powerful skills, at the very heart of innovation, that begin when kids play.

solving-problems, organizing and planning. We often consider these as “work” skills but, to kids, they are fun and part of play.

When children play with these toys together, they practice negotiating, cooperating and other social skills. Kids are using language to express themselves, explain, and ask questions. Both boys AND girls enjoy playing with these toys!! Ordinary household items, like sponges and plastic food containers, can be construction toys. Check the recycling.

Wood scraps are not as common as they used to be, but they are another item kids enjoy for block and construction play. Architecture may not be the future path for your child, but building creating are important as life-skills and play outlets for adults. Are they part of yours?

Kids, like adults, can march to a different beat, and play to a different one too; it’s important to respect differences in how children play.

Play is not the same for all children. Parents only need to have two kids to see the tremendous differences there can be from one child to the other. While all children love to move, some are far more active than others. These kids seem to be constantly on the run, jump, or hop. Some children talk far earlier than others. During their play, kids kids talk to the stuffies and toys and pretend to be their voices. Favorite toys might be a pretend telephone, or a real one whenever they see it around! Hands-on is the interaction of choice for many children. Blocks and construction toys of all sorts lurk on the floor for unsuspecting adult feet. In this case, it’s not marching to a different beat but limping.

While there may be some general similarities for the ways girls play as opposed to the ways boys play, there are vast differences for children of the same gender. Many girls engage in building with blocks, rough-housing, and zooming cars and trains around a track. By the same token, many boys will play with dolls and kitchens. Just as many boys as girls have baby brothers and sisters, so caring for younger family members is common for both. Girls and boys can snuggle a doll, take it for a walk in the stroller, give it a bottle, and tell it not to cry. These are natural activities and show how we care for each other. Boys can ask for an easy-bake-oven and girls can want a science kit.

When we respect differences in how children play we are respecting children themselves. Kids can march to a different beat in what they want to eat, how they dress, the books they like, and the way they play. How will your child choose to play today?

Is there space at your house for construction play with blocks and other building toys? Your child can be a Christmas elf and play in his/her own workshop. Here’s part of a previous post on a block and building play-of-the-day:

There’s a wonderful variety of construction toys using plastic, like Lego and Lasy; wood as in blocks; metal, both new and vintage; and even sturdy paper and cardboard. Some construction sets are specialized for machines, race car tracks, trains, houses, marble runs, creatures, and robots. Just as varied are the kinds of fun and learning. When kids play with these toys they are:

manipulating, connecting, stacking, balancing, etc. This strengthens the small muscles in hands and fingers and gives children the opportunity to develop eye-hand coordination.

visualizing, that is making pictures in the mind. As an adult, have you ever had to look at an object and then had to choose from 3 or 4 pictures what it would look like from the other side? This is quite a challenge and this skill develops from lots of experiences and play.

exploring space and measuring. Blocks of some sizes might fit in a space but some will be too big or too small.

counting and making groups, matching sizes and shapes. These are early math skills.

creating and imagining. These are powerful skills, at the very heart of innovation, that begin when kids play.

solving-problems, organizing and planning. We often consider these as “work” skills but, to kids, they are fun and part of play.

When children play with these toys together, they practice negotiating, cooperating and other social skills. Kids are using language to express themselves, explain, and ask questions. Both boys AND girls enjoy playing with these toys!! Ordinary household items, like sponges and plastic food containers, can be construction toys. Check the recycling.

Sometimes, during the holiday season, friends and relatives come for a visit. Blocks and construction toys are a great activity for kids of various ages, along with aunts, uncles, and other adults too. For a great play-of-the-day, how about some construction play with blocks and other building toys?

The wheels on the bus go round and round but instead of people going up and down, this time blocks do when kids engage in block construction play. Blocks are a versatile toy enjoyed by very young toddlers and much older ones. Many block sets are made of wood, but they also are available in … Continue reading Fun Bus Activities #4: Block Construction Play→

Are you wondering how the item: children’s independent play with toys can be a ‘requirement’ for kindergarten? How kids play gives developmental clues. Play on the outside reflects what’s happening inside physically, mentally, and emotionally. Let’s watch kids playing with puzzles. When kids first start playing with puzzles, they need large pieces made of wood, … Continue reading Before I Go to Kindergarten #14: Children’s Independent Play with Toys→

With so much technology, it’s easy to forget simple toys like blocks. Playing with blocks can range from simple to complex and it’s powered by imagination. Imaginations are surrounded with holiday magic. What might Santa’s workshop look like? Kids might like to use their blocks and other construction toys to make their own Toyland or … Continue reading Playing with Blocks for Holiday Fun→

Can Kids Do Art with Blocks and Toys? Paper and crayons or paint aren’t the only way for kids to make art; art play with blocks and construction toys happens even when adults don’t notice. Kids themselves may discover that they have created wonderful art as they play with blocks, Lego, and other construction toys. … Continue reading Art Play with Blocks and Construction Toys→

Thee Little Pigs Inspire Play-of-the-Day Once you have read a book with your child, don’t stop there. It’s just a start to the fun. How about some building along with the Three Little Pigs? The Three Little Pigs is a fairly common story, but you might not have a book of it at home. If … Continue reading March into Fun with Books, Stories, and Activities #3→

Helping Children Learn to Play with Blocks and Construction Toys Play is a powerful method of learning for young children and we can support them as they explore how to play with blocks and construction toys. Yes, play is natural; even animals will play. However, we can build on what happens naturally by helping kids … Continue reading Helping Children Learn to Play Series: #3 Blocks→